Unauthorized persons were observed to be present in many polling stations. Party symbol/badge holders were present at nine polling stations while people who had cast their votes were seen inside eight. FAFEN observers also reported the presence of police personnel inside 53 polling stations. Incidents of violence were reported at two polling stations.

According to information gathered by FAFEN’s election observers, the indicative turnout at 13 polling stations at 1700 hours was observed to be 21.96%, showing a decrease of 10.6 percentage points compared to the 2008 general elections. Gender-wise, the male indicative voter turnout was 26% with that of female being only 10.1%.

The seat fell vacant due to the demise of Muhammad Ali Khan, a PPP-S leader who won the seat by securing 25% (6,523) of the total votes in the previous elections. A total of 104,730 voters – 63,290 male and 41,440 female – were registered for the by-election, 26% more than the previous polls.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) set up 85 polling stations – 49 male and 36 female. These polling stations had 127 male and 89 female booths. FAFEN observers monitored 43 men and 31 women polling stations.

According to FAFEN’s observation, canvassing and campaigning outside the polling stations continued in and around majority of the polling stations. Party camps were set up outside 42 polling stations, while armed civilians were present in at least nine party camps. The candidates/workers were observed to be persuading voters at 13 polling stations with political leaders/workers seen at five. There were armed civilians persuading voters inside three polling stations.

Seventeen trained and accredited observers (11 men and six women) monitored the voting and counting process. The observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes at each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks provided by the ECP to polling officials.

The post Lack of Interest, Low Turnout Mark Charsadda By-Election appeared first on Election Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, December 25, 2012:  Almost total absence of women voters from polling stations, lack of female polling booths, presence of security personnel and unauthorized persons inside polling stations characterized the by-election for PB-18 Sherani-cum-Zhob held on Monday, reports the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Preliminary Report.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not set up female polling booths in about 75% of the polling stations monitored by FAFEN observers, in violation of its own notified polling scheme. Considering that the area’s women are discouraged from participating in the electoral process by their communities, the ECP’s reluctance to establish female polling booths at the majority of observed polling stations reflects the administration’s waning commitment to resist such trends in the region.

The seat was vacated due to the recent death of former independent MPA Abdul Khaliq. He achieved victory in the general elections of 2008 by securing 31.5% (4,803) of polled votes when the voter turnout was 28.7%. A total of 68,005 voters were registered for the by-election in PB-18 (Sherani-cum-Zhob) – 37,811 male and 30,194 female. That is 12,750 more voters than the number of registered voters in the 2008 general elections. 

The ECP set up 67 polling stations – all mixed gender. The polling stations were supposed to include 151 polling booths – 82 male and 69 female. However, at 25 of the 33 polling stations monitored by FAFEN observers on polling day, female booths had not been set up.

Twelve trained and accredited FAFEN observers monitored the voting and counting processes inside polling stations. The observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks provided by the ECP to polling officials.

This preliminary report is based on the observation of 33 polling stations – all combined, and reports sent by FAFEN staff before the election.  Some of FAFEN’s key findings include:

•   Bar on Participation of Women in Polling Activities

As seen in previous elections, the community’s women are generally discouraged from visiting polling stations to vote. In violation of its own published polling scheme, the ECP did not establish any female polling booths at 25 of the 33 polling stations monitored by FAFEN observers. Moreover, no female election officials were seen at any polling station. Considering the patterns associated with female voting in the constituency, this is a worrying development. ECP should have established women only polling stations in the constituency to create favourable environment for women voters in place of notifying combined polling stations only.

At PS-20, the Presiding Officer did not allow at least five women to vote after asking them to show their faces for identification. The Presiding Officer’s motivation to do so could not be established. Nevertheless, this incident led to a two-hour break in polling and the women left the polling station without voting.

In PS-30, however, the Presiding Officer refused to allow a polling agent to vote on behalf of absent women voters. The agent had come with number of women CNICs for proxy voting.

The table below lists the numbers of male and female booths that were supposed to be established at 25 polling stations, according to the ECP. While no female booths were actually established, one male booth was set up at each polling station.

•    Suspicious Voting Patterns

FAFEN observers recorded suspicious voting patterns at one polling booth of one polling station. If polling is most efficient and each voter takes approximately one minute and 30 seconds for processing (checking of name, checking of CNIC, issuance of ballot paper, going behind secrecy screen, stamping a ballot and returning the stamp to the assistant presiding officer), about 45 ballots can be cast in one hour at a booth. Therefore, an average rate per hour higher than 45 brings into question the speed with which votes were being processed. The rate of voting was higher than possible at one booth of the polling station listed in the following table.

•  Fraudulent Voting

Election officials were seen stamping ballot papers at one polling station. Similarly, polling agents and other unauthorized persons were seen doing the same at one polling station each.

In PS-37, the presiding officer thwarted at least one attempt at fraudulent voting. By exercising his magisterial power, he intercepted a man with a fake CNIC and handed him over to Frontier Constabulary personnel.

•  Unauthorized Persons Inside Polling Stations

According to FAFEN observers, police officers were present inside eight polling stations while Army personnel were seen in at least two polling stations. Moreover, Frontier Constabulary/Rangers were present inside 18 polling stations and at times appeared to have been in control of the electoral process. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police is only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations in order to ensure smooth polling. They can only enter polling stations or booths when requested by Presiding Officers. Attempts by security officials to influence voters or polling officials were, however, not observed.

FAFEN observer reports indicate the presence of local influential persons inside three polling stations. Instances were reported where some of these unauthorized persons were attempting to persuade voters and election officials to favor a certain political party or candidate at one polling station. In PS-28, a local tribal chieftain or Sardar accompanied numerous voters behind the secrecy screen and was seen trying to exercise his influence on election officials. According to FAFEN observers, the election officials were visibly annoyed by his presence but were unsure of what to do.

Certain candidates and his workers were seen trying to influence voters at two polling stations. Likewise, a political leader and his worker were seen doing the same at two other polling stations.

Government officials were present inside one polling station. AT PS-26, a Tehsildar entered the polling station and inquired about the condition of law and order within the station’s premises.

FAFEN observers reported that people who had already voted were present in 15 polling stations. A polling agent was seen repeatedly accompanying voters behind the secrecy screen in PS-30. Incidentally, voters were showing their stamped ballots to a polling officer at the same polling station. The reason for this unusual activity could not be determined. Other unauthorized persons also accompanied voters behind the screens at one polling station.

• Campaigning and Canvassing around Polling Stations

The workers of contesting candidates had established party camps outside at least nine polling stations; in violation of election laws that bar the same within 400 yards of polling stations. Moreover, the workers of contesting parties had erected banners and hung posters outside the majority of observed polling stations.

•  Interference with FAFEN Observers

Levies personnel manhandled FAFEN observers and forbid them from monitoring the voting process at PS-6.

FAFEN Recommendations

Having observed the aforementioned irregularities during the by-election, FAFEN recommends:

1. The ECP should probe into the incidents of barring women from voting in the PB-18 by-election and attempts of proxy voting on behalf of women voters. Even if re-polling is not held in the whole constituency, re-polling must be ordered in polling stations where women were barred from voting.
2. ECP should act against all election officials who failed to establish women polling booths in combined polling stations.
3. The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated duty of maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.
4. The ECP should take disciplinary action against polling station officials who interfered with and influenced the voting process.
5. To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:
   1. Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
   2. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
   3. Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
   4. Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
   5. Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
   6. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
6.  Adequate training of all polling officials must be ensured for all by-elections.
7. Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removed from around the polling stations.
8. More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

The post PB-18 By-Election: Women’s Booths not Established in 75% of Observed Polling Stations appeared first on Election Pakistan.

By-elections were held in two National Assembly constituencies – NA-162 (Sahiwal-III), NA-107 (Gujrat-IV), –and seven Provincial Assembly constituencies– PP-26 Jhelum-III, PP-92 (Gujranwala-II), PS-21 (Naushero-Feroz-III), PP-122 (Sialkot-II), PP-129 (Sialkot-IX) and PP-133 (Narowal-II) and PP-226 (Sahiwal-VIII). Elections for NA-162, NA-107, PP-26, PP-92, PS-21, PP-122 and PP-226 were disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while elections were necessitated in PP-129 and PP-133 following the resignation of dual-national members elected in the general elections of 2008.

While the ECP appeared highly effective in Bannu by-elections held in August 2012, its enforcement appeared to be challenged particularly in Punjab by-elections where district government officials as well as police were more active than they are required to be and present where they should not be. FAFEN observers reported presence of police inside at least 638 of 746 (85%) polling stations where by-elections were held in Punjab. A more Punjab-specific phenomenon as reported by FAFEN in earlier by-elections as well, the presence of police at times not only impairs the ability of elections officials to act independently but also creates an environment of coercion for voters.

Although the ECP has yet to release the officials result, unofficial results and FAFEN observation establish an unusually high turnout in five of seven by-election held in Punjab. These unusually high turnouts are only corroborated by suspicious voting patterns that were recorded in a sizeable number of polling stations in these constituencies, indicating the possibility that genuine voters may not have been casting ballots.

Contrary to trends, female turnout was higher than male turnout in three constituencies (PS-21, PP-133 and PP-226). Although in most cases the difference was not significant, females turned up in lower numbers than men in all other constituencies.

In NA-107, the ECP set up 281 polling stations – 49 male, 46 female and 186 combined. The polling stations included 755 polling booths – 415 male and 340 female. Two hundred and eighty one polling stations were set up in NA-162 – 83 male, 84 female and 114 combined. In PP-21, of 129 polling stations, 19 each were male and female while 91 were combined. The polling stations included 425 polling booths – 240 male and 185 female. PP-26 had 129 polling stations – 54 male, 54 female and 21 combined. Of 364 polling booths, 195 were male-exclusive while 169 were for women. In PP-92, 111 polling stations were set up – 55 male and 56 female. They included 349 polling booths – 192 male and 157 female. One hundred and sixteen polling stations were established in PP-122 – 49 male, 48 female and 19 combined. Of 350 polling booths, 200 were male-exclusive and 150 were female-exclusive.  In PP-129, 129 polling stations were set up – 18 male, 18 female and 93 combined. The polling stations included 380 polling booths – 202 male and 178 female. In PP-133, of 127 polling stations, 16 each were male and female while 95 were combined. The polling stations included 425 polling booths – 240 male and 185 female. In PP-226, 139 polling stations were established – 30 for males, 29 for females and 80 combined. The polling stations included 296 polling booths – 155 male and 141 female.

FAFEN deployed 287 trained observers to monitor the voting and counting processes inside pre-assigned sampled polling stations across the nine constituencies. The observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks that the ECP has provided to election officials.

This preliminary report is based on the observation of 768 polling stations in nine constituencies – 212 male, 224 female and 341 combined, and reports sent by FAFEN staff prior to the by-elections.  Some of FAFEN’s key findings include:

1.    Suspicious Voting Patterns

FAFEN observers recorded suspicious voting patterns at a total of 71 polling booths of 58 polling stations, 39 of which were combined, 12 were male-exclusive and seven were female-exclusive. If polling is most efficient and each voter takes approximately one minute and 30 seconds for processing (checking of name, checking of CNIC, issuance of ballot paper, going behind secrecy screen, stamping a ballot and returning the stamp to the assistant presiding officer), about 45 ballots can be cast in one hour at a booth. Therefore, an average rate per hour higher than 45 brings into question the speed with which votes were being processed. The rate of voting was higher than possible at 71 booths, as mentioned previously. The most number of polling booths where suspicious voting patterns were recorded was in PP-129 (27 booths at 21 polling stations), followed by PP-226 (19 booths of 16 polling stations), as shown in Table 1 below. The least incidence of suspicious voting was noted in PP-92, however, both polling stations in the constituency where such patterns were observed happened to be female-exclusive. There was no reason to suspect dubious voting in PS-21, which is why the constituency is excluded in Table 1. Refer to Annex 1 for detailed data on suspicious voting patterns.

2.    Indicative Turnout

According to FAFEN observers reporting from 220 randomly selected[1] polling stations, indicative voter turnout in seven by-elections was above 40% percent. In total, combined turnout in all nine constituencies was also relatively high at 46.91 per cent. The combined turnout at male polling stations was recorded at 44.44%, 41.65% at female polling stations and 52.82% at combined polling stations.

The highest turnout was recorded in PP-226 (63.12%), where male turnout was 63.02%, female turnout was 64.80% and combined turnout was 62.07%. The second highest turnout was seen in PS-21 (58.75%). Female turnout in the constituency was also higher (68.96%) than male turnout (57.94%) while combined turnout was 57.24%. PP-21 was followed by PP-133 and NA-162 where total turnouts were estimated at 53.97% and 53.34% respectively. In PP-129, NA-107, PP-26, PP-92 and PP-122 indicative turnouts were  47.0%, 43.20%, 41.07%, 36.16% and 19.93% respectively.

It is noteworthy that female turnout was higher in PS-21, PP-133 and PP-226. In PS-21, female turnout was 68.96% while male turnout was 57.94%. In PP-133 female and male turnouts were 56.24% and 41.23% respectively. Although an aberration, the higher female turnout in these constituencies would be a desirable outcome. However, circumstances raise doubts about the quality of polling and suggest that ballots were not cast by genuine voters.

3.    Fraudulent Voting

Additional counterfoils were filled on the ballot books at 165 of the observed polling stations whereas ballot papers were issued without filling the counterfoils at 66 polling stations, indicating strong possibility that fraudulent votes were stuffed in ballot boxes. The least number of such cases, however, were observed in PP-226.  Similarly, FAFEN observers reported from 20 polling stations that the numbers of Computerized National Identity Cards of voters as written on the counterfoils of the ballot books did not match the corresponding entries on the electoral rolls. Although the overall frequency of the incidence was relatively low, it again raises the possibility that fraudulent voting may have occurred.

Dubious thumb impressions were marked on the counterfoils of ballot books at the same angle with phasing out ink print at 164 polling stations. In absolute numbers, this was noted most frequently in PP-226 (26 polling stations) followed by PP-133 (24 polling stations) whereas in relative terms, the frequency was highest in PP-21 (10 of 22 polling stations). In the case of genuine voters, thumb impressions are marked in fresh, dark ink and are usually at varying angles. Dubious thumb impressions imply that they were fraudulently applied by others.

Moreover, election officials and polling agents were seen stamping ballot papers at three polling stations each while other unauthorized persons were also seen doing the same at 14 polling stations. The most cases were observed in PP-26, where polling agents were seen stamping ballots at one polling station and other unauthorized persons were seen doing so at five polling stations. No such incident was observed at any polling station in PS-21.

4.    Unauthorized Persons Inside Polling Stations

According to FAFEN observers, security officials were present inside 682 polling stations. In 658 of these polling stations, policemen were seen inside polling stations while Army personnel, Frontier Constabulary and Rangers were present in the remaining 24 polling stations. Presence of policemen was highest in PP-26 (118 polling stations) followed by PP-226 (113 polling stations). Of a total of 17 polling stations were Army personnel were present, four each were in NA-162 and PP-26. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police is only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations in order to ensure smooth polling. They can only enter polling stations or booths when requested by Presiding Officers. While attempts to influence voters were not observed, security officials were seen trying to persuade election officials to favor certain candidates at five polling stations in PP-92, PP-129, PP-133 and PP-226.

Moreover, armed civilians were seen inside 13 polling stations of five constituencies. While at times they appeared to have been in control of the electoral process, they were not seen trying to influence voters at any polling station.

FAFEN observer reports indicate the presence of local influential persons inside 20 polling stations of all constituencies except PS-21 and PP-122. In 10 polling stations of NA-107, NA-162, PP-92 and PP-226, some of these unauthorized persons were seen attempting to persuade voters to favor a certain political party or candidate. Similarly, they were seen trying to influence election officials at three polling stations – one each in NA-107, PP-129 and PP-133. A Federal Minister was seen trying to influence voters inside a polling station in NA-162 while officials of the Federal Government were seen in at least one polling station of PP-129.

Unauthorized persons carrying party symbols or wearing party badges were seen inside 67 polling stations. This occurrence was noted most frequently in PP-129 (22 polling stations) followed by NA-107 and NA-162 (10 polling stations each). Similarly, candidates or their workers were seen trying to persuade voters to favor a certain candidate in 11 polling stations, five of which were in NA-107. They were also seen trying to influence election officials at one polling station in the same constituency. Certain political leaders and their workers were also seen trying to influence voters at nine polling stations, three of which were in NA-162. They also attempted to influence election officials in three polling stations of NA-162, PP-129 and PP-133 and were seen trying to manipulate policemen at two polling stations in NA-162 and PP-129.

According to FAFEN observers, polling officials tried to pressure voters to support certain parties or candidates at 10 polling stations, six of which were in PP-129 and three in NA-162.

FAFEN observers reported that people who had already voted were present in 40 polling stations. Election officials went behind secrecy screens to “assist” voters at four polling stations in NA-107, PP-122 and PP-129 while polling agents were seen doing the same at three polling stations in NA-162, PP-133 and PP-226. Other unauthorized persons also accompanied voters behind the screens at 12 polling stations, five of which were in PP-226.

5.    Campaigning and Canvassing around Polling Stations

Violations of ECP code of conduct were observed in all the constituencies. Party camps were present outside 319 polling stations; in violation of election laws that bar the same within 400 yards of polling stations. The most number of party camps in any single constituency were seen in PP-129 (67) followed by PP-226 (56). Armed civilians were also present at party camps around 22 polling stations. Such display of arms may seriously inhibit voters from turning up to vote and/or compel them to vote under pressure.

6.    Incidents of Violence

Ten incidents of violence were reported from polling stations in five constituencies. The highest incidence of electoral violence was seen in PP-129, where at least four scuffles are known to have occurred. Participants sustained major injuries in some brawls. Consequently, polling was reportedly suspended in at least two polling stations, but the probability that it was suspended in more polling stations is high. Among others, the violent incidents were reported at Polling Station Nos. 194 and 203 in NA-107; PS-29 in NA-162, PS Nos. 20 and 54 in PP-133 and PS-122 in PP-226.

A fight broke out between supporters of PML-N and PML-Q in PS-194 of NA-107 at 3:00pm. According to the FAFEN observer’s report, one participant was seriously injured and subsequently hospitalized while a few others sustained minor injuries. Another fight between supporters of the same parties was seen at PS-203 during the announcement of polling results. No injuries were reported.

In NA-162, a minor altercation was observed between supporters of PML-N and supporters of an independent candidate at PS-29, Girl’s High School Chichawatni. Similarly, in PP-226 a quarrel was witnessed between supporters of two contesting candidates at PS-122. Polling was not suspended at either polling station. According to FAFEN observers, no person was seriously harmed in the incidents.

In PP-133, two incidents of violence were observed at polling stations 20 and 54. At PS-20, supporters of PML-Q and PPP teamed up in a fight with supporters of an independent candidate. As a result, polling was suspended for about 25 minutes between 2:15pm and 2:40pm. At PS-54, polling was suspended for at least three hours between 2pm and 5pm because of a scuffle between supporters of PPP and PML-N. FAFEN observers did not report any injuries or damage to property in either case.

7.    Interference with FAFEN Observers

Presiding Officers did not allow FAFEN observers to fully carry out their duties by barring them from observing the vote counts in four polling stations of PP-92 (PS Nos. 35, 52, 91 and 97) and PS-111 of PP-129.

FAFEN Recommendations          

• To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:
• The ECP and all provincial, district, and local election officials should administer each by-election with the same vigilance and attention to enforcing the law and procedures as during any general election. The result of any by-election not administered vigilantly should be voided.
• The ECP should reprimand all election officials who failed to enforce the election rules and laws.
• The ECP should take disciplinary action against polling station officials who interfered with and influenced the voting process.
• The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated duty of maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.
• Having observed the aforementioned irregularities during the by-election, FAFEN recommends:
  • Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
  • All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
  • Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
  • Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
  • Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
  • All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
• Adequate training of all polling officials must be ensured for all by-elections.
• Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removed from around the polling stations.
• More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

Annex I

The post Oddly High Turnout, Heavy Presence of Police and Weak Enforcement of Election Laws Mark December 4 By-Elections appeared first on Election Pakistan.

However, there continued to be instances of improbable turnouts, suspicious voting patterns and police presence inside poling stations. Women vote counted also appeared to be much higher than the women actually turning out to vote at polling stations, indicating their votes might have been cast through proxies.

The seat was vacated due to death of MMA’s Mr. Ziyad Akram Durrani who was elected by securing 26,701 of a total of 43,448 polled votes in 2008 general elections when the turnout remained 36.85%.

The ECP set up 102 polling stations – 30 male, 26 female and 46 combined. The polling stations included 248 polling booths – 150 male and 98 female. There were 84 polling stations established during 2008 general elections. A total of 125,958 voters were registered for the by-election in PK-70 (Bannu-I) – 75,024 male and 50,934 female. That is 8,042 more voters than the number of registered voters in the 2008 general elections.

FAFEN deployed 15 trained and accredited observers – 11 male and 4 female – to monitor the voting and counting processes at 90% of polling stations. The observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks that the ECP has provided to election officials.

This preliminary report is based on observation of 85 polling stations – 27 male, 22 female and 36 combined.  Some of FAFEN’s key findings include:

1. Improbable Turnout at three Polling Stations

Although the voter turnout in by-election was 34.4%, it remained extraordinarily high at three polling stations – greater than 75%. At these polling stations, an overwhelming majority of votes went to the candidate of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F). At PS-50, the turnout remained 77%, with 98% of total polled votes going to JUI-F candidate. At PS-69, the turnout remained 87%, with 99% votes going to the JUI-F candidate. Similarly, PS-90 recorded 93% turnout, all going to the JUI-F candidate.

2. Suspicious Voting Patterns

FAFEN observers recorded suspicious voting patterns at 7 polling booths at as many polling stations – 4 at combined, two at female-exclusive and one at male-exclusive polling stations. If polling is most efficient and each voter takes an average of one minute and 30 seconds for processing (checking of name, checking of CNIC, issuance of ballot paper, going behind secrecy screen, stamping a ballot and returning the stamp to the assistant presiding officer), about 45 ballots can be cast in one hour at a booth. Therefore, an average rate per hour higher than 45 brings into question the speed with which votes were being processed. The rate of voting was higher than possible at 7 booths of the polling stations listed in the following tables.

3. Turnout

According to FAFEN observers reporting from 15 randomly sampled polling stations – 5 male, 4 female and 6 combined — the voter turnout remained 34.41%, slightly lower than the turnout in the 2008 general elections. The turnout at male polling stations was recorded at 19 percent, 27 percent at female polling stations and 51 percent at combined polling stations. The relatively higher voter turnout at sampled female and combined polling stations is because of extraordinary turnout at one female and two combined polling stations where it remained between 77% and 93%.

4. Fraudulent Voting

Additional counterfoils were filled on the ballot books at 10 polling stations whereas ballot papers were issued without filling the counterfoils at 5 polling stations, indicating strong possibility that fraudulent votes were stuffed in ballot boxes. At one of the three booths at PS-93, the election staff had issued 355 ballots by 11:00 am but the ballot box showed far lower number of ballots, suggesting that the election staff had issued two ballots per minute but fewer of them were cast.

5. Unauthorized Persons Inside Polling Stations

Security officials were present inside 70 polling stations. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police is only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations in order to ensure smooth polling.

FAFEN observer reported the presence of local influential persons inside 5 polling stations. Two instances were reported where some of these unauthorized persons were attempting to persuade voters to favor a certain political party or a candidate. Similarly, they were seen trying to influence the election staff at one polling station.

Other unauthorized persons carrying party symbols or wearing party badges were seen inside one polling station. Likewise, party workers were seen trying to persuade voters to favor a certain candidate and influence election officials in 8 polling stations and 3 polling stations, respectively. At one polling station a candidate was seen inside polling station with his armed bodyguards.

Polling agents were seen to have gone behind the secrecy screen at one polling station and at another a polling agent was found to be stamping the ballot on behalf of a voter. People who had already voted were present in 10 polling stations.

6. Campaigning and Canvassing around Polling Stations

The workers of contesting candidates were seen campaigning and canvassing at four polling stations in violation of election laws that bar the same within 400 yards of polling stations. However, this is a major enforcement improvement as earlier by-elections witnessed such instances at majority of polling stations.

FAFEN Recommendations

Having observed the aforementioned irregularities during the by-election, FAFEN recommends:

• The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated duty of maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.

• The ECP should take disciplinary action against polling station officials who interfered with and influenced the voting process.

• The ECP should reprimand all election officials who failed to enforce the election rules and laws.

The ECP and all provincial, district, and local election officials should administer each by-election with the same vigilance and attention to enforcing the law and procedures as during any general election. The result of any by-election not administered vigilantly should be voided.

• To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:

1. Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
2. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
3. Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
4. Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
5. Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
6. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.

• Adequate training of all polling officials must be ensured for all by-elections.

• Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removed from around the polling stations.

• More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

About FAFEN

The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), a coalition of 42 leading Pakistani civil society organizations, was established in 2006 to observe election processes, educate voters, and advocate for electoral and democratic reform.

The post ECP Curtails Campaigning at Polling Stations in PK-70 Bannu-I By-Election appeared first on Election Pakistan.

The seat was vacated due to death of MPA Abdul Salam Thaheem, who won in the 2008 general elections by securing 30,542 votes when the voter turnout was 47%. As many as 108,284 voters are registered in PS-83 (Sanghar-VI) – 58,045 male and 50,239 female. Compared to the number of registered voters in the 2008 general elections, 8,284 fewer voters were registered for the by-election. 

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) set up 93 – 26 male, 26 female and 41 combined polling stations. The polling stations had 286 polling booths – 156 male and 130 female.

FAFEN deployed 18 trained observers on the Election Day to monitor more than 90% of the polling stations set up in the constituency. Observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks that the ECP has provided to election officials.

This preliminary report is based on observation of 82 polling stations – 25 male, 24 female and 33 combined. Some of FAFEN’s key findings include:

1. Suspicious Voting Patterns

There were eight polling booths at five polling stations where FAFEN observers recorded suspicious voting patterns. If the polling is most efficient and each voter is taking approximately a minute and 30 seconds for processing (checking of name, checking of CNIC, issuance of ballot paper, going behind secrecy screen, stamping a ballot and returning of stamp to the assistant presiding officer), there can be approximately 45 votes that can be cast in an hour at a booth. However, the rate of voting was higher than possible at eight booths of the polling stations listed below. The following table gives booth-wise average of polled votes per hour. An average higher than 45 brings into question the speed with which the voters were being processed.

2. Turnout

According to FAFEN observers reporting from 14 randomly sampled polling stations, the turnout remained 44.45 percent, which was lower than the turnout in the general elections. The turnout at male polling stations was recorded at 32 percent, 24 percent at female polling stations and 60 percent at combined polling stations.

3. Fraudulent Voting

At three polling stations, additional counterfoils were filled on the ballot books whereas at four polling stations ballot papers were issued without filling the counterfoils, indicating the possibility of fraudulent votes being stuffed in ballot boxes. Similarly, FAFEN observers reported from one polling station that the numbers of Computerized National Identity Cards of voters as written on the counterfoils of the ballot books did not match the corresponding entries on the electoral rolls, again raising the possibility that fraudulent voting might have occurred.

At 10 polling stations, dubious thumb impressions marked on the counterfoils of ballot books at the same angle with phasing out ink print were observed. In the case of genuine voters, each thumb impression is marked in fresh, dark ink and is usually at varying angles.

4. Unauthorized Persons Inside Polling Stations

At 59 polling stations, FAFEN observed that security officials were present inside polling stations and polling booths and at times appeared to have been in control of the electoral process. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police is only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations in order to ensure smooth polling. They can only enter polling stations or booths when requested by the presiding officer. However, police were not observed to have been persuading voters or election officials to favor a certain candidate.

FAFEN observer reports indicate the presence of local influential persons inside 14 polling stations. Instances were reported where some of these unauthorized persons were attempting to persuade voters to vote in favor of a political party or candidate at four polling stations.

Moreover, candidates with their armed bodyguards were observed to have visited four polling stations at two of which they were seen persuading voters to vote in favor of a certain candidate, which is prohibited. Under election laws, only candidates are authorized to visit polling stations. They cannot bring in their bodyguards unless specially permitted by the returning officer.

Observers at four polling stations also witnessed that unauthorized persons were attempting to influence election officials. These unauthorized persons included candidates and their workers.

Similarly, efforts to influence the police were made by candidates and/or their workers at three polling stations.

At 12 polling stations, FAFEN observers reported that people who had already voted were present.

5. Campaigning and Canvassing around Polling Stations

At 24 polling stations, the workers of contesting candidates were campaigning and canvassing in violation of election laws that bar the same within 400 yards of polling stations. Armed civilians were also observed to have been present at party camps around three polling stations. Such display of arms inhibits voters from turning out to vote as well as compel them to vote under pressure.

6. Interference with FAFEN Observers

FAFEN observers were stopped from observing the voting and counting processes at two polling stations by their respective presiding officers. The ECP allows its accredited observers to monitor all stages of the election, including the opening of polling stations, voting and the counting process. However, FAFEN observers reported that one presiding officer refused to accept the validity of their accreditation cards.

FAFEN Recommendations

Having observed the aforementioned irregularities during the by-election, FAFEN recommends:

• The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated duty of maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.
• The ECP should take disciplinary action against polling station officials who interfered with and influenced the voting process.
• The ECP should reprimand all election officials who failed to enforce the election rules and laws.
• The ECP and all provincial, district, and local election officials should administer each by-election with the same vigilance and attention to enforcing the law and procedures as during any general election. The result of any by-election not administered vigilantly should be voided.
• To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:
  • Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
  • All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
  • Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
  • Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
  • Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
  • All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
• Adequate training of all polling officials must be ensured for all by-elections.
• Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removed from around the polling stations.
• More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

About FAFEN

The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), a coalition of 42 leading Pakistani civil society organizations, was established in 2006 to observe election processes, educate voters, and advocate for electoral and democratic reform.

The post Heavy police presence and suspicious voting patterns observed in PS-83 by-elections appeared first on Election Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, May 7, 2012: Incidents of violence, heavy presence of police inside and outside polling stations, restrictions on FAFEN observation, suspicious voting patterns underlined the by-elections in PP-243 and PP-245 in Dera Ghazi Khan on Monday, said Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Preliminary By-Election Observation Report.

The two Punjab Assembly seats fell vacant due to the resignations of PML-Q legislator Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari and PMLN’s Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa after they were elected as Senators in March this year.

As many as 134,856 voters are registered in PP-243 Dera Ghazi Khan-IV – 81,203 male and 53,653 female, while, a total of 130,877 voters are registered in PP-245 Dera Ghazi Khan- VI – 77, 492 male and 53,385 female.  In comparison to the 150,193 voters in PP-243 and 167,595 voters in PP-245 listed on the electoral roll used for the General Elections in 2008, a total of 15,337 in PP-243 and 36,718 in PP-245 less voters appeared on the voter list used for this by-election.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had set up 102 polling stations in PP-243 – eight male and eight female and 86 combined polling stations. A total of 122 polling stations were set up in PP-245 – 13 male, 13 female and 96 combined polling stations.

FAFEN deployed 22 trained observers in PP-243 and 25 in PP-245 on Election Day to monitor more than 90 percent of the polling stations set up in the constituencies. Observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks that the ECP has provided to election officials. This preliminary report is based on observation of 84 polling stations each of PP-243 and PP-245. Some of FAFEN’s key findings include:

1. Suspicious Voting Patterns

At thirteen polling stations – four in PP-243 and nine in PP-245 – FAFEN observers recorded suspicious voting pattern. If the polling is most efficient and each voter is taking approximately a minute and 30 seconds for processing (checking of name, checking of CNIC, issuance of ballot paper, going behind secrecy screen, stamping a ballot and returning of stamp to the assistant presiding officer), there can be approximately 45 votes that can be cast in an hour at a booth. However, the rate of voting was slightly higher than possible at one booth of polling station listed below. The following table gives booth-wise average of polled votes per hour. An average higher than 45 brings into question the speed with which the voters were being processed.

2. Voter Turnout

According to FAFEN observers reporting from 19 randomly sampled polling stations of PP-243, the turnout was 35%, which is lower than the turnout in the general election. While in PP-245, the turnout remained 32% reported from 18 randomly selected polling stations.

3. Fraudulent Voting

At 10 polling stations of PP-243 and three polling stations of PP-245 ballot papers were issued without filling the counterfoils, indicating the possibility of fraudulent votes being stuffed in ballot boxes. Similarly, FAFEN observers reported from seven polling stations of PP-243 that the numbers of Computerized National Identity Cards of voters as written on the counterfoils of the ballot books did not match the corresponding entries on the electoral rolls, again raising the possibility that fraudulent voting might have taken place. At 13 polling stations of PP-243 and 11 polling stations of PP-245, dubious thumb impressions marked on counterfoils of ballot books at the same angle with phasing out ink print were observed. In the case of genuine voters, each thumb impression is marked in fresh, dark ink and may be at varying angles. Additional counterfoils have been filled on the ballot box at 22 polling stations at PP-243.

4. Unauthorized Persons inside Polling Stations

At 60 polling stations of PP-243 Dear Ghazi Khan – IV and 68 polling stations of PP-245 Dera Ghazi Khan – VI, police were present inside polling stations. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police are only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations to ensure smooth polling. They can only enter polling stations or booths when requested by the presiding officer. Frontier Constabulary/Rangers was present inside three polling stations of PP-245.

FAFEN observer reports indicate the presence of party symbol/badge holders, people who have already voted, local influential persons and candidates with bodyguards inside six, three, two and two polling stations, respectively, in PP-243 while in PP-245 party symbol/badge holders, people who have already voted, local influential persons and government officials inside 11, four, four and three polling stations respectively.

Instances were reported where some of these unauthorized persons attempted to persuade voters to vote in favor of a political party or candidate. Polling officials at one polling station of PP-243, local influential persons at four polling stations of PP-243 and four polling stations of PP-245, candidates and their workers at four polling stations of PP-243 and three polling stations of PP-245 and political party leaders or their workers at four polling stations of PP-243 and three polling station of PP-245 were involved in such illegal practices. Polling agents were going behind the secrecy screens at three polling stations in PP-243 and three polling stations in PP-245 while other people were also going behind at one polling station of PP-243 to help the voters

Observers at five polling stations witnessed that unauthorized persons were attempting to influence the election officials at PP-243 and four polling stations in PP-245. This included local influential persons at two polling stations of PP-243, candidate or its workers at one polling station of PP-243 and three polling stations at PP-245, political party leaders or their workers at two polling stations in PP-243 and one polling station of PP-245.

Similarly, efforts to influence the police were made by political party leaders or their workers at one polling station each of PP-243 and PP-245, federal minister at one polling of PP-245, local influential leader and candidate or his workers at one polling station each in PP-243.

5. Campaigning and Canvassing around Polling Stations

FAFEN observers reported from 67 polling stations in PP-243 Dera Ghazi Khan–IV and 73 in PP-245 Dera Ghazi Khan–VI that the workers of contesting candidates were campaigning and canvassing in violation of election laws that bar the same within 400 yards of polling stations.

6. Partisan Election Officials and Breach of Right to Secret Voting

FAFEN observers reported from five polling stations in PP- 243 Dera Ghazi Khan – IV and three in PP-245 Dera Ghazi Khan–VI that unauthorized persons were stamping ballots on behalf of voters. This included polling station officials, polling agents and other unauthorized persons.

Instances of breach of right to secret voting were observed at three polling stations of PP- 243 Dera Ghazi Khan – IV where polling agents were going behind the voting screen to assist voters. In PP-245 Dera Ghazi Khan – VI, FAFEN observers did not see any secrecy screens for stamping ballots, and the voters were casting their votes in front of the presiding officers.

Many of the procedural irregularities especially the presence of unauthorized personnel inside polling stations, including security officials, may just be due to lack of training of election staff, who are generally not clear of their authority under the election laws.

7. Violence

FAFEN observers reported incidents of violence from two polling stations of PP-243 where the workers of contesting candidates clashed.

At PS- 100, the observers reported that armed supporters of PML-N candidate visited the facility and cast ballots (book no 1360) in favor of their candidate. In the same constituency, at PS- 98, workers of the PML-N and PML-Q candidates clashed with each other and as a result 15 people sustained injuries while the polling process remained suspended for 90 minutes.

In PP-245 Dera Ghazi Khan – VI, the polling process remained suspended at three polling stations – PS- 83, 100 and 119. Polling remained suspended due to clashes between the polling agents of the contesting candidates.  The polling was halted for 10 minutes each at PS 83 and PS 100 while at PS 119 it was suspended for two hours.

8. Interference with FAFEN Observers

FAFEN observers were stopped from observing the voting process at three polling stations (PS – 22, 23 and 49) in PP-243 Dera Ghazi Khan-IV by either the presiding officers or the security officials.  The ECP allows its accredited observers to monitor all stages of the election, including the opening of polling stations, voting and the counting process.

FAFEN Recommendations

Having observed the aforementioned irregularities during the by-election, FAFEN recommends:

1. The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated duty of maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.
2. The ECP should take disciplinary action against polling station officials who interfered with and influenced the voting process.
3. The ECP should reprimand all election officials who failed to enforce the election rules and laws.
4. The ECP and all provincial, district, and local election officials should administer each by-election with the same vigilance and attention to enforcing the law and procedures as during any general election. The result of any by-election not administered vigilantly should be voided.
5. To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:
   • Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
   • All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
   • Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
   • Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
   • Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
   • All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
6. Adequate training of all polling officials must be ensured for all by-elections.
7. Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removed from around the polling stations.
8. More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

The post Suspicious voting patterns, violence and police presence in PP-243 and PP-245 by-elections appeared first on Election Pakistan.

The seat fell vacant after Shahid Mahmood Khan resigned as MPA. He won the seat in 2008 general elections on a Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) ticket by securing 24,450 votes as the voter turnout was 28.5%.  According of FAFEN’s data collected from 15 randomly selected polling stations, the turnout for this by-election went down to 21%.

As many as 188,234 – male (100,912) and female (87,322) – voters are registered in this urban constituency of Multan district. In comparison to the 195,317 voters listed on the electoral roll used for the General Elections in 2008, a total of 7,083 less voters appeared on the voter list used for this by-election.

Though voters showed less interest and appeared in lesser numbers to the polling stations, the police officials remained present inside the premises of majority of the observed polling stations in clear violation of election laws. Similarly, supporters of contesting candidates and parties continued to illegally canvass and campaign outside the polling stations.

Moreover, the contesting candidates had made elaborate arrangements for assisting the voters to travel to the polling stations. Additionally, government vehicles with green number plates were found to be roaming around in the constituency for the entire day.

FAFEN observers reported a number of violations by the police, election staff, polling agents and supporters of the candidates, however if compared with previous by-elections held lately, relatively fewer procedural irregularities were observed indicating improvement in the training of election staff by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The ECP had set-up 134 polling stations – 68 male and 66 female polling stations. The 134 polling stations had 412 polling booths – 224 male and 188 female.

FAFEN deployed 27 trained observers on Election Day to monitor more than 90 percent of the polling stations set up in the constituency. Observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist that is based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks that the ECP has provided to election officials. This preliminary report is based on observation of 98 polling stations – 54 male and 44 female.

Some of FAFEN’s key findings include:  

1.   Voter Turnout

According to FAFEN observers reporting from 15 randomly sampled polling stations, the turnout was 21.15% percent, which was lower than the turnout in the general election. The turnout at male polling stations was recorded at 22 percent and 20.2 percent at female polling stations.

2.   Fraudulent Voting

At two polling stations ballot papers were issued without filling the counterfoils, indicating the possibility of fraudulent votes being stuffed in ballot boxes. Similarly, FAFEN observers reported from three polling stations that the numbers of Computerized National Identity Cards of voters as written on the counterfoils of the ballot books did not match the corresponding entries on the electoral rolls, again raising the possibility that fraudulent voting might have taken place. At two polling stations, dubious thumb impressions marked on counterfoils of ballot books at the same angle with phasing out ink print were observed. In the case of genuine voters, each thumb impression is marked in fresh, dark ink and may be at varying angles. Additionally, at three polling stations, FAFEN observers reported that additional counterfoils were filled.

3.   Unauthorized Persons Inside Polling Stations

At 67 polling stations, police was present inside polling stations. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police is only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations to ensure smooth polling. They can only enter polling stations or booths when requested by the presiding officer.

At 19 polling stations, FAFEN observers reported that they had seen individuals belonging to contesting political parties wearing campaign badges/symbols of contesting candidates. In addition, at six polling stations, people who had already voted were present, while presence of a government official was noted at one polling station.

4.   Campaigning and Canvassing around Polling Stations

FAFEN observers reported from 85 polling stations that the workers of contesting candidates were campaigning and canvassing in violation of election laws that bar the same within 400 yards of polling stations.

5.   Partisan Election Officials and Breach of Right to Secret Voting

FAFEN observers reported from two polling stations that unauthorized persons were stamping ballots on behalf of voters while at one polling station a polling agent was observed to stamp the ballot paper.

Instances of breach of right to secret voting were observed at seven polling stations where unauthorized persons were going behind the voting screen to assist voters – polling agents at two polling stations and other unauthorized persons at five polling stations.

FAFEN Recommendations

Having observed the aforementioned irregularities during the by-election, FAFEN recommends:

1. The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated duty of maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.
2. The ECP should take disciplinary action against polling station officials who interfered with and influenced the voting process.
3. The ECP should reprimand all election officials who failed to enforce the election rules and laws.
4. The ECP and all provincial, district, and local election officials should administer each by-election with the same vigilance and attention to enforcing the law and procedures as during any general election. The result of any by-election not administered vigilantly should be voided.
5. To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:
   1. Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
   2. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
   3. Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
   4. Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
   5. Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
   6. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
6. Adequate training of all polling officials must be ensured for all by-elections.
7. Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removed from around the polling stations. 
8. More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

About FAFEN: FAFEN is a network of 42 civil society organizations working to foster democratic accountabilities in Pakistan.

The post Low Turnout, Heavy Police Presence Mark By-Election appeared first on Election Pakistan.

• Incidents of Bar on Female Voting in Mardan and Mianwali
• 194,255 Less Voters on New Rolls in 10 Constituencies
• FAFEN Observer Shot in the Neck in Mardan

ISLAMABAD, February 25, 2012: Restrictions by police and election officials on FAFEN observation, errors in new electoral rolls, interference of police in electoral matters, incidents of violence and procedural irregularities underlined the relatively low turnout by-elections in 10 national and provincial constituencies held on February 25, 2012, said Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Preliminary By-Election Observation Report. FAFEN will release its detailed report on February 27, 2012.

By-elections were held in six National Assembly constituencies – NA-9 (Mardan-I), NA-140 (Kasur-III), NA-148 (Multan-1), NA-149 (Multan-II), NA-168 (Vehari-II) and NA-195 (Rahim Yar Khan-IV) – and four Provincial Assembly constituencies – PP-18 (Attock-IV), PP-44 (Mianwali-II), PS-57 (Badin-I) and PS-53 (Tando Muhammad Khan-Cum-Hyderabad). Election for NA-9, NA-140, NA-148, NA-149, NA-195, PP-18 and PP-57 was necessitated after the resignation of members elected in 2008 general elections from their seats and for NA-168, PP-44 and PS-53 after the death of elected members.

Saturday’s electoral exercise, a year before the general elections are due, witnessed a low turnout that remained less than 30 percent as compared to general elections when turnout in these constituencies remained 43.3%. Female turned out in lower numbers than men. In NA-9 (Mardan) and PS-44 (Mianwali), females were barred from voting in several polling stations. The turnout remained highest in NA-140 (Kasur) at more than 50 percent where FAFEN documented suspicious voting patterns at 16 polling stations.

FAFEN deployed 380 trained observers for the observation of by-elections. Observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has provided to election officials.

Although ECP had accredited the FAFEN observers and permitted them to observe all aspects of Election Day processes, police and election officials either disallowed them from entering the polling stations in more than 40 polling stations of 10 constituencies or restricted them from observing some critical processes such as counting of votes. At many polling stations, such restrictions were put up by police who were working independently of the elections officials. In other instances, election officials ordered FAFEN observers to leave following instructions from the contesting candidates or their henchmen such as in PS No. 199 in NA-149.

The Returning Officer refused permission to FAFEN personnel to observe the counting process in at least four polling stations in PP-18 (Attock). Processes of consolidation of results at the Offices of the Returning Officers were completely blocked from observers’ access. In one of the Multan constituencies, army cordoned off the RO office where consolidation of votes was taking place, keeping observers and media a hundred yards away.

This trend in the election year is disturbing as it indicates at the weak authority of the instructions of the ECP at the polling stations level, weakening the integrity and transparency of the electoral processes. Efforts by ECP to strengthen electoral transparency can only translate into action when it is given complete supervision of the government officials deployed for election duty.

The ECP’s revised voter lists prepared in haste for the by-election constituencies to abide by the Supreme Court’s directions skipping the statutory requirement of displaying them for public scrutiny before finalization also created issues for voters. Many people could not find their names on the lists and were turned away. In some cases, not all members of households, who were enlisted as voters on 2008 lists, were registered on new rolls. In NA-168 (Vehari), names of unverified voters were deleted but the eligible voters were not added to the new lists. Similar issues were indicated in NA-148 and NA-149 (Multan). More women than men were affected by this error.

The total number of voters in these constituencies also collectively decreased from 2,543,451 in 2008 to 2,384,156 in lists prepared for 2012 by-elections. The constituency-wise comparison is given below:

Incidents of violence were reported from more than 30 polling stations in all by-election constituencies. Firing, scuffles and brawls left more than eight persons injured in these incidents. Violence was reported at Polling Station Nos. 13, 14 and 169 in NA-168; PS Nos. 42, 162 and 198 in NA-140; PS Nos. 82, 68, 142, 213, 199 and 288 in NA-149; PS Nos. 131, 146 and 97 in NA-9, PS No. 57 in PS-57; and PS Nos. 1 and 17 in NA-195.

In one incident in NA-9 (Mardan), one FAFEN observer was shot in his neck by unidentified men as he was walking away from a polling station after observing the polling process. The observer has been hospitalized and is in stable condition. In another incident in NA-149 (Multan), a female observer was intimidated by police and other men outside a polling station. In her effort to run away, she fell and sustained injuries.

In all by-election constituencies, security officials were present inside the polling stations and booths. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police are only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations to ensure smooth polling. They can only enter polling stations or booths when requested by the presiding officer. However, FAFEN observed that these police officials were transgressing their authority and at times taking decisions that are the prerogative of the presiding officer such as allowing access to observers inside polling stations. Such heavy presence of police inside polling stations undermines the authority of elections officials and creates a perception that security forces are managing the electoral exercise.

Although it appeared the ECP invested more resources in the training of election officials and provided them necessary handbooks and materials, procedural irregularities such as presence of unauthorized persons, including armed men, inside polling stations and booths, non-compliance with legal procedures to process voters such as calling out their names aloud to enable all polling agents to hear, breach of voters’ right to vote in secrecy, allowing political party workers and agents to manage the polling process, etc. were rampant. Such irregularities coupled with relatively inactive and untrained polling agents in a polling station create conducive environment for fraudulent voting.

FAFEN Recommendations

1. The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated duty of maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.
2. The ECP should reprimand all election officials who failed to enforce the election rules and laws.
3. The ECP and all provincial, district, and local election officials should administer each by-election with the same vigilance and attention to enforcing the law and procedures as during any general election. The result of any by-election not administered vigilantly should be voided.
4. The ECP should withhold the results in constituencies where females are barred from voting.
5. To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:
   • Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
   • All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
   • Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
   • Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
   • Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
   • All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
6. Adequate training of all polling officials must be ensured for all by-elections.
7. Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removed from around the polling stations.
8. More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

About FAFEN: FAFEN is a network of 42 civil society organizations working to foster democratic accountabilities in Pakistan.

The post Restrictions on Observation, Police Interference and Violence Mark Low Turnout By-Elections appeared first on Election Pakistan.

The seat was vacated due to death of Ch. Mumtaz Ahmed Jajja, who won the 2008 General Elections by securing 40736 votes when the voter turnout remained 49.09%. As many as 158,293 voters are registered in PP-275 Bahawalpur-IX – 87,022male and 71,271 female.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had set-up 115 polling stations – 14 each for men and women and 87 combined. The 115 polling stations had 360 polling booths – 197 for men and 163 for women voters. The incidents of violence took place at or around polling stations no 92, 97, 101 and 104.

FAFEN deployed 16 trained observers on Election Day to monitor almost 80 percent of the polling stations set up in the constituency. Observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks the ECP has provided to election officials.

FAFEN observers reported at least four incidents of violent clashes between the supporters of candidates of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN). Armed civilians were found to be present at three party camps established outside the polling stations. Police despite its heavy presence in and outside polling stations did not establish security checkpoints at some polling stations.

At some combined polling stations, male staff was observed to be facilitating women voters. At polling stations No 96, 97 and 99 female staff was not present at polling booths established for women voters and male staff was facilitating the women voters.

At some polling stations, Presiding Officers did not allow FAFEN Observers to observe the voting processes at polling booths. FAFEN Observers were stopped from observing voting processes at polling stations no 12, 23 and 35 despite the fact that they were carrying accreditation cards issued by ECP.

This preliminary report is based on observation of 91 polling stations – eight male, seven female and 76 combined. Some of FAFEN’s key findings include:

1. Suspicious Voting Patterns

There were six polling booths at five polling stations where FAFEN observers recorded suspicious voting patterns. If the polling is most efficient and each voter is taking approximately a minute and 30 seconds for processing (checking of name, checking of CNIC, issuance of ballot paper, going behind secrecy screen, stamping a ballot and returning of stamp to the assistant presiding officer), approximately 45 votes can be cast in an hour at a booth. However, the rate of voting was higher than possible at six booths of polling stations listed below. The following table gives booth-wise average of polled votes per hour. An average higher than 45 brings into question the speed with which the voters were being processed.

2. Voter Turnout

According to FAFEN observers, reporting from 17 randomly sampled polling stations, the turnout remained 29.87 percent, which was lower than the turnout in the general election. The turnout at male polling stations was recorded at 46.7 percent. It was 35.9 percent at female polling stations and 26.56 percent at combined polling stations.

3. Fraudulent Voting

At one polling station, additional counterfoils had been filled on the ballot books, indicating the possibility of fraudulent votes being stuffed in ballot boxes. Similarly, FAFEN observers reported from three polling stations that the CNIC numbers of voters written on the counterfoils of the ballot books did not match the corresponding entries on the electoral rolls, again raising the possibility that fraudulent voting might have taken place. At one polling station, dubious thumb impressions marked on counterfoils of ballot books at the same angle with phasing out ink print were observed. In the case of genuine voters, each thumb impression is marked in fresh, dark ink and may be at varying angles.

4. Unauthorized Persons Inside Polling Stations

FAFEN observers reported presence of unauthorized people from majority of the observed polling station. At 87 polling stations, security officials were present inside polling stations. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police are only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations to ensure smooth polling. They can only enter polling stations or booths when requested by the presiding officer. At eight polling stations party workers with party badges were present inside polling stations. Similarly at three polling stations, the voters who had polled their votes were present inside the polling station.

5. Campaigning and Canvassing around Polling Stations

From 79 polling stations FAFEN observers reported that the workers of contesting candidates were campaigning and canvassing in violation of election laws that bar the same within 400 yards of polling stations. Armed civilians were also observed to have been present at party camps around three polling stations. Such display of arms inhibits voters from turning out to vote as well as compel them to vote under pressure.

Candidates had made elaborate arrangements for transportation of voters to polling stations. Provision of transportation to voters is also prohibited under election, which also increases the election expenses manifold.

6. Breach of Right to Secret Voting

The voters’ right of secrecy was compromised at few polling stations. At two polling stations, polling agents were observed to be stamping the ballot papers on behalf of voters. Irrelevant persons were seen to be stamping the ballot papers on behalf of voters at another two polling stations. At the similar number of polling stations, irrelevant persons were seen going behind the secrecy screen. Only voters are allowed to go behind secrecy screen to stamp the ballot paper.

Many of the procedural irregularities, especially the presence of unauthorized personnel inside polling stations, including security officials, may just be due to lack of training of election staff, who are generally not clear about their authority under the election laws.

7. Violence

FAFEN observers reported incidents of violence from four polling stations where the workers of contesting candidates clashed.

8. Interference with FAFEN Observers

FAFEN observers were stopped from observing the voting and counting processes at three polling stations by the presiding officers. The ECP allows its accredited observers to monitor all stages of the election, including the opening of polling stations, voting and the counting process.

FAFEN Recommendations

Having observed the aforementioned irregularities during the by-election, FAFEN recommends:

1. The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated duty of maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.
2. The ECP should reprimand all election officials who failed to enforce the election rules and laws.
3. The ECP and all provincial, district, and local election officials should administer each by-election with the same vigilance and attention to enforcing the law and procedures as during any general election. The result of any by-election not administered vigilantly should be voided.
4. To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:
   1. 1. Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
      2. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
      3. Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
      4. Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
      5. Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
      6. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
5. Adequate training of all polling officials must be ensured for all by-elections.
6. Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removed from around the polling stations.
7. More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

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Based on this significant electoral irregularity, and in order to set a clear precedent for serious reform in advance of the next general elections, FAFEN strongly recommends that the election result in PK-61 should be voided and the polling should be re-held. Taking this clear action would signal the ECP’s intention to administer the next elections according to the highest standards of domestic and international law and best practice.

In addition to these concerns, suspicious voting patterns at 14 booths of 13 polling stations and heavy presence of police inside polling stations marked the by-election for the PK-61 constituency of the Provincial Assembly [Kohistan-I], according to FAFEN observers.

The seat was vacated due to the death of Maulvi Obaidullah, Member of the Provincial Assembly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As many as 84,590 voters are registered in PK-61 Kohistan-I, including 65,786 male voters and 18,804 female. There were 1,597 more voters registered for the by-election as compared to the registered voters for 2008 general election.

The ECP setup 50 combined polling stations. These 50 polling stations had 110 polling booths – 60 male and 50 female.

FAFEN deployed 12 trained observers on Election Day to monitor 78 percent of the polling stations in the constituency. Observers spent between 45 and 60 minutes in each polling station to document their observations and findings on a standardized checklist that is based on the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1976, Conduct of Elections Rules 1977, and instructional handbooks that the ECP has provided to election officials.

This preliminary report is based on observation of 39 combined polling stations. Some of FAFEN’s key findings include:

1. Suspicious Voting Patterns

There were 14 polling booths at 13 polling stations where FAFEN observers recorded suspicious voting patterns. If the polling is most efficient and each voter is taking approximately a minute and 30 seconds for processing (checking of name, checking of CNIC, issuance of ballot paper, going behind secrecy screen, stamping a ballot and returning of stamp to the assistant presiding officer), there can be approximately 45 votes that can be cast in an hour at a booth. However, the rate of voting was higher than possible at 14 booths of polling stations listed below. The following table gives booth-wise average of polled votes per hour. An average higher than 45 brings into question the speed with which the voters were being processed.

2. Voter Turnout

According to FAFEN observers reporting from 10 randomly sampled polling stations, the turnout remained 21.4 percent, which was two percentage points lower than the turnout in the 2008 general election.

3. Unauthorized Persons Inside Polling Stations

FAFEN observers reported presence of unauthorized people from at least 37 polling stations. At one polling station frontier constabulary/rangers were present inside the polling station while at 37 polling stations police was present inside the polling stations. Under electoral rules, even at sensitive polling stations, police is only authorized to maintain order outside polling stations in order to ensure smooth polling. They can only enter polling stations or booths when requested by the presiding officer.

FAFEN observer reports indicate the presence of local influential persons inside one polling station. In addition, at one polling station, people who had already voted were present.

Many of the procedural irregularities especially the presence of unauthorized personnel inside polling stations, including security officials, may just be due to lack of training of election staff, who are generally not clear of their authority under the election laws.

4. Campaigning and Canvassing around Polling Stations

FAFEN observers reported from 23 polling stations that the workers of contesting candidates were campaigning and canvassing in violation of election laws that bar the same within 400 yards of polling stations. Armed civilians were also observed to have been present at party camps around four polling stations. Such display of arms inhibits voters from turning out to vote as well as compel them to vote under pressure.

5. Partisan Election Officials and Breach of Right to Secret Voting

FAFEN observers reported from two polling stations that unauthorized persons were stamping ballots on behalf of voters – Election officials at one polling station and polling agents at one polling station were observed to be stamping the ballot papers. Instances of breach of right to secret voting were observed at one polling station where polling agents were going behind the voting screen to help voters.

FAFEN Recommendations

Having observed the aforementioned irregularities, FAFEN recommends:

1. ECP should ban announcement of results for constituencies where women are prevented from voting in any polling station for any reason.  Either the vote counts from those polling stations should be excluded from the compilation of the official result or re-polling should take place in those stations.  Based on this long-standing FAFEN recommendation, FAFEN recommends that the result of PK-61 (Kohistan-I) should be voided and the polling should take place again.
2. The ECP should ensure that security officials perform only their designated dutyof maintaining law and order outside of polling stations and do not attempt to manage election officials.
3. The ECP should reprimand all election officialswho failed to enforce the election rules and laws.
4. The ECP and all provincial, district, and local election officials should administer each by-election with the same vigilanceand attention to enforcing the law and procedures as during any general election. The result of any by-election not administered vigilantly should be voided.
5. To eliminate unauthorized people from being in polling stations:
6. Presiding Officers should be encouraged and provided adequate protections to use their magisterial powers.
7. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
8. Polling officials should ensure that only one polling agent representing each political party – and carrying proper identification from their party – is permitted in each polling booth.
9. Only people carrying proper identifications should be permitted inside polling stations and allowed to vote.
10. Adequate security checks should be performed in order to prevent unauthorized and armed persons in and around polling stations.
11. All polling officials must be required to carry their Government Service Cards to prove their identity on Election Day.
12. 6. Adequate training of all polling officialsmust be ensured for all by-elections.
13. Polling officials should ensure that all campaign materials and camps are removedfrom around the polling stations.
14. More generally, given the consistent weaknesses in ECP by-election administration, by-elections should be minimized by restricting each candidate in general elections to contesting in only one constituency.

About FAFEN: FAFEN is a network of 42 civil society organizations working to foster democratic accountabilities in Pakistan. It is governed by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability.

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